2013 POCI-GTOAA Co-Vention

After 2009's dramatic collaboration between the GTO Association of America (GTOAA) and the Pontiac-Oakland Club International (POCI) in Dayton to produce one ginormous event, the Pontiac faithful in both camps have been eager to repeat the historic effort.

After more than two years of planning, members of the Southeastern Indiana Chapter of POCI and the Ohio Valley Chapter of GTOAA, under the direction of Paul Freese and Doug Pulskamp respectively, brought the second POCI-GTOAA Co-Vention together, and the results were truly mind-boggling.

Housed at the Wright State University Nutter Center, formerly known as the E.J. Nutter Center, in Fairborn, Ohio, the facility was large enough to completely accommodate the Co-Vention, and there was even room for nearly 200 cars to be displayed indoors.

The 2013 POCI-GTOAA Co-Vention was also the 50th Anniversary of the '63 Pontiac full-line release, and dozens of full-sized and Tempest models were on hand. The 75th Anniversary of the '38 Pontiac was also recognized, and several examples were in attendance, both in stock and modified configurations.

Classes for vehicles were judged by each club and ranged from Points Judged to Popular Vote, as well as a display-only Road Warrior class for vehicles driven to the event. Each club maintained its own judging system and appointed its own judges. Several cars were registered for both POCI and GTOAA Points Judging and some even won Gold awards from both clubs, which was no small feat.

Racing was held at nearby Kil-Kare Raceway, with bracket-style drag racing and an autocross for those who enjoy carving up the corners with their Pontiacs. Many Pontiacs driven to the event, and even several trailered show cars, were seen screaming down the track.

Some celebrities were on hand for the festivities, including Pat Flannery Stephen, known to the world as Perky Patty, the first Miss Hurst. Also attending the Co-Vention were Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick; The Bag Boys, Mike Garblik and Eric Larson; and our own fearless leader, Editor Christopher Phillip.

For 2014, the POCI Convention will be held June 17-21 in Wichita, Kansas, and the GTOAA Convention will be held July 1-5 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Check online at www.poci.org and www.gtoaa.org for updated information, registration forms, and hotel accommodations.

2/21The main Concours display at Wright State University’s Nutter Center was especially impressive, with Pontiacs from every era. Over 200 cars were displayed indoors and approximately another 900-plus outside, making for another successful event.

6/21Russell Fisher’s ’56 Star Chief Custom Catalina convertible took the POCI Post-war Best of Show, and a more deserving car doesn’t exist. Russell is also the original owner of another ’56 Pontiac that he frequently shows.

10/21The blown 518ci KRE Pontiac in GTO George Zimnicky’s tube-framed ’74 GTO shook the ground on every pass. He runs 8.60s at over 153 mph.

14/21Road Warriors have grown to become a large part of the POCI convention experience. Jack Johnson’s ’56 Safari and Bud Schiefer’s ’60 Catalina spend more time on the road than at shows. Jack even took the Co-Vention Long Distance Award for traditional Pontiac-powered machines from ’55-’81, covering more than 2,700 miles from Arizona. Now that is a cruiser!

18/21Chris Smetana’s ’70 GT-37 is a familiar Pure Stock racer that came to race at Kil-Kare. This 400-powered machine runs in the high 12s in Pure Stock trim. We say that’s very impressive!